In the age of telephone and internet fraud, older adults are falling prey to scammers who attempt to steal money or obtain personal information from elderly individuals.
But these crimes remain preventable for those who are aware of what to be on the lookout for.
“The Federal Trade Commission reports that older adults are less likely than younger adults to admit they lost money in a scam,” the Ohio Department of Aging said in a recent release on its website.
Lack of dialogue about this category of crime can lead to further crimes of the same kind. Protecting yourself and your loved ones is simple, however, if you are aware of the signs of scam or fraud.
First, be aware of calls or emails that ask for payment immediately, and beware of calls from individuals threatening you if you call the police about their suspicious activity.
Second, know that no one can pressure you into signing a product or purchasing something if you do not want to. You should never feel pressured into a financial agreement. If they are trying to force quick action, it is best to avoid them.
Third, do not give any credence to callers who tell you that you have received money or won a contest that you did not enter — particularly if you are told you have to pay a fee to receive the winnings, which is a clear sign of a scam.
Finally, never give your banking information to anyone who calls you unexpectedly. If you have not been told by your bank or some other legitimate entity that you will be contacted for this information, it is most likely a scam.
Common scams that older individuals can fall prey to include impostor scams, COVID-19-vaccine-related scams, home improvement and repair scams, tax return and social security scams, and more.
In the event that you or someone you know has been the victim of fraud, there are multiple ways to report the scam and protect yourself.
Ohio Protects has launched a website through which individuals can file a consumer complaint, report scams, report ID theft or fill out an unwanted-call notification form.
Additionally, AARP keeps a sophisticated directory of all scams that have been reported in the U.S. Should you be the victim of abuse, submit a report on the AARP website or call 1-877-908-3360 to report the suspicious activity.
